Peter Meadows, Senior Partner and Head of Immigration at Meadows Fraser advises of changes to the UK immigration system.
The following changes have been made from 6th April 2011 to the Points Based System for entry into the UK, introduced by the Home Office in recent years.
Tier 1
- Those who have invested £10,000,000 will be able to apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) after the investment is in place for 2 years.
- Those who have invested £5,000,000 will be able to apply after the investment is in place for 3 years.
- Allowable absences will be increased from 90 to 180 days, enabling international business people to better manage their affairs abroad.
- A new Prospective Entrepreneur visa will be introduced to allow entrepreneurs to come to the UK to secure funding.
- A new category for exceptionally talented migrants working in science or the arts will be introduced, there will be 1,000 places available in the first year.
Tier 2
- The number of Certificates of Sponsorships available for out of country migrants in Tier 2 General will be limited to 20,700 for the year from 6th April 2011.
- The minimum English language requirement for Tier 2 General will be raised to B1 on the CEFR scale.
- The Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer route will be reshaped and focused on specialists and managers.
- Transferees paid over £40,000, including allowances, will be able to come to the UK for up to 5 years.
- Transferees paid £24,000 or more will be able to come to the UK for up to 12 months.
Peter Meadows comments: “Immigration has rarely been out of the headlines in the United Kingdom. Whilst there has been much talk of the controversial “cap” introduced by the Government, wealthy entrepreneurs will be pleased by the changes to the points rules. There is a clear message that the laws are looking to attract inward investment in the UK”.
For further information, please contact Peter Meadows on 01932 852057 or petermeadows@meadowsfraser.com
